Those celebrity women who look so fabulous don't wake up that way — they make all that good hair happen. And you can too.

Most Read

When you're shopping for a cut, celeb photos can be inspiring. Stylists find pictures useful — but what's most important is knowing your own hair. That's easy, you say? Don't be so sure, says Paula Malloy, creative director of JCPenney Salons. "Your hair type and texture changes over time, so play with yours when it's clean and dry and focus on whether it's curlier, straighter, flatter or frizzier than it used to be," she says.

Getting reacquainted with your hair will help you narrow your search for the perfect style. Now you're ready to find a photo that expresses your hair ideal — but choose carefully. "If your hair type or facial features are different from those of the person in the picture, it may not be a realistic cut for you," explains star stylist Serge Normant (Julia Roberts is a client). So keep in mind these guidelines for picture-perfect hair:

Identify celebs whose hair type seems similar to yours. That may be easier to do with casual, paparazzi-type photos, where celebs' hair seems more natural than in formal, red-carpet shots. When you've collected enough "she's just my type" photos, look through them and choose the styles you like the best.

Beware of celebrity tress deceptions. Many stars with magnificent manes sometimes wear extensions (think Faith Hill and Beyoncé Knowles). Others, like Nicole Kidman and Minnie Driver, have very curly hair but often blow-dry it stick-straight.

Be honest about how much effort you're willing to make. You may love Katie Couric's bob, but if your hair is wiry, it will take a lot of time and motivation to straighten it every day. So unless your stylist makes house calls, think twice before committing to a demanding 'do.

Find a salon you can trust. A good stylist will modify a cut so it suits your face shape and hair type. Explain what you like about your "ideal hair" photo, but be open to feedback from the stylist about elements of the cut that may not work on you.

Don't be too literal about the picture you've brought. A snapshot is one moment in time. The star's hair may have looked that way for one second, so don't fret if yours doesn't look exactly the same.

Make the most of your time in the chair. Rather than gossiping with your stylist, talk shop. Don't hesitate to ask for tips about managing your cut, treating hair problems, or using a certain product or tool.

Step 2: Repair Your Hair

Even if you find a flattering cut, hair has to be healthy to be beautiful. Every day, hair loses some of the protein (amino acids) that structures and strengthens it. The more that protein breaks down, the more vulnerable hair becomes. So your job is to "feed" your hair some of those amino acids. How? With products designed to penetrate strands and repair then from the inside out.

Step 3: Weather Bad Hair Days — No Matter Where You Live

Boston: Breakage
With extremes like winter snow, summer heat, and big-city pollution, Beantown can be rough on your locks. William George, owner of the James Joseph Salon, suggests moving your part periodically so the same section of hair isn't always exposed. "If you don't, you'll end up seeing a lot of breakage in that area," he says.

Miami: Frizz

Living in super-humid South Florida is like living underwater, says salon owner and stylist Samy, so frizz fighters are a must. He recommends silica-based products, because that ingredient is more effective at locking out moisture than wax- or mineral-oil-based formulas. Check the label to see that silica is one of the first ingredients listed.

Chicago: Blowing in the Wind
Good luck maintaining your 'do in this town, says Sally Noblett of Joseph Michael's Salon. "The wind is abusive, so an every-hair-in-place style will drive you crazy," she says. Helmet head is one answer, but try Noblett's advice instead: Find a loose, layered cut that doesn't require perfection to look good. (Think Meg Ryan.)

Seattle: Wilting in the Rain
When showers are part of daily life, it's tempting to have a high-powered blow dryer on hand at all times. Warning: Repeated washings and dryings can harm your hair's condition. Let your locks go natural on the worst days. And blow-dry with care since wet hair is so fragile, says Gary Howse of Gary Manuel Salon.

Los Angeles: Damage
The beach may make you feel peaceful, but the sun and salt stress out your hair, says celeb stylist Enzo Angileri. Shield yours by using color-protective hair care (which may have UV filters) or wearing a hat. Also, tote a conditioner to the ocean or pool and apply often to keep hair hydrated.

Cincinnati: Staticky Flyaways
This is a year-round issue in Ohio, says stylist Todd Margolis of the Hyde Park Salon. His secret to reducing static instantly: Mist hairspray onto a brush, then run it over your hair to smooth the strands. When you're on the go, a dab of hand cream will do the trick.

Step 4: Get Salon-Quality Color...at Home

Can gorgeous hair color really come out of a box? Although Anne E. Martin is vice president of global beauty and cosmetics marketing for Procter & Gamble, the parent company of Clairol, she was always a salon loyalist — until she decided to take our color challenge. When time came for her regular appointment, she used Clairol instead — Nice 'N Easy Ultra Light Natural Blonde #87. How was the quality? Great, thank you. In fact, she feels she achieved the high-shine blond she always got at the salon. The biggest difference she noticed: The Clairol treatment took a lot less time and cost a whole lot less.

Find the Best Color Kit for You

Facing shelf upon shelf of hair-color products is enough to make a person panic. But don't. There are only two choices you need to make: which formula and which shade.

Formulas: Do you want something temporary and gentle (read: no peroxide)? If so, look for a box labeled "semi-" or "demi-permanent." Either will cover a few grays, subtly enhance your base color, and last about four weeks. For longer-lasting results, choose a box that says "permanent." This formula lifts some of your natural color with peroxide then deposits pigment so color goes into each strand, says colorist Giselle, of Pierre Michel Salon in New York City. "This gives you more impact, but it also means more maintenance as hair grows."

Shades: To find the right color, don't go by the photo of the model on the package, says Julia Youssef of the L'Oréal Technical Institute — consult the guide on the back of the box. Look for tones that closely match your mane — then go one or two shades darker or lighter. If you want a bigger change, you may need a colorist after all.

Step 5: Be Bold (or at Least Think About It)

How do you know when you're stuck in a style rut? If you've had the same cut for so long that you can't remember how you looked before, it's time to consider a change. If you're not ready to commit to a huge change, here are three ways to make a noncommittal coif change: